Beyond Organic Local Farm Products

Homesteading and Hazardous Chemicals

I wrote this book review addressing the challenges regarding potentially hazardous chemicals in our everyday products.

We have discussed how we would like to lessen any unnecessary chemical exposure in our home.

Our homesteading work has done a lot to give us chemical-free options.

Homegrown radish

Our organic garden gives us food free of herbicides and pesticides. We plan on expanding our operation to grow more food and collect our own seeds.

Finished Candle

Our candlemaking gives us a lighting source free of chemicals that are given off by most commercial candles.

When we make our own food from scratch we are able to make it free from preservatives. Plus it isn’t exposed to potential chemicals on the food packaging, as detailed here. We also make our own soups a lot. BPA is used in the lining of cans to much debate, so when we can make something fresh instead of eating it out of a can, we do that. When we reheat our own food we do it using ceramic or glass dishes, not plastic. By making our own food we can avoid buying frozen meals that require heating in plastic, like microwavable dinners.

Other aspects of our self-sufficiency that help include that we reuse glass jars for food storage. Jars from pasta sauce, salsa, etc. are great for storing food. The glass doesn’t have the potential to release chemicals like plastic can. I also like that the jars don’t spill. I can take homemade soup to work in a reused jar and it won’t spill. Then I pour it into a ceramic bowl that I bring, and I have a healthy lunch!

We also currently make our own window and glass cleaner out of simply vinegar and water. Plus we don’t use fabric softener in our laundry; we just add vinegar to the washing machine instead.